Test and repair bench for heat exchangers



y 9 D. LANGFELD ET AL 2,595,471

TEST AND REPAIR BENCH FOR HEAT EXCHANGERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 10, 1946 FlG.l

INVENTOR. DANIEL LANGFELD ROBERT LECKEY RAYMOND A. OLSON EARL GRANT WEBB ATTORNEY May 6, 1952 D. LANGFELD ET AL TEST AND REPAIR BENCH FOR HEAT EXCHANGERS 4 Sheefs-Sheet 2 Filed July 10, 1946 INVENTOR. DANIEL LANGFELD BY ROBERT LECKEY RAYMOND A.OLSON EARL GRANT WEBB 4?64/ iii/ziaztlzzldf ATTORNEYS May 6, 1952 D. LANGFELD ETAL TEST AND REPAIR BENCH FOR HEAT EXCHANGERS Filed July 10, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 CURRENT SUPPLY INV EN TOR. DANIEL LANGFELD ROBERT L EOKEY BY RAYMOND A. OLSON EARL GRANT WEBB @41 Mm ATTORNEYS May 6, 1952 D. LANGFELD ET AL TEST AND REPAIR BENCH FOR HEAT EXCHANGERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 10, 1946 N B 5 m w Y EH M EF OW m V6 0 T T EAN T 1A L A A L D R .L TN Gd R EEWL am MRRE? Patented May 6, 1952 UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFICE TEST AND REPAIR BENCH FORHEA T 'EXCHANGER'S Application July 10, 1946; Serial No. 682,624

I 5. Claims. (01; 187-:17)

This invention relates to test and repair benches for heat exchangers and is particularly applicable to test and repair benches for the radiatorsfassociated with the cooling system of internal combustion engines.

While the description and drawings are mainly directed to automobile radiator test and repair, it is obvious that the apparatus may be used for any heat exchange apparatus of this general type,

such'as, for example, condenser or evaporator coils for refrigeration and air conditioning-apparatus, airplane engine cooling radiators, diesel engine radiators, and many others.

Heretofore, radiator test and repair benches have been used wherein a platform on which the radiator is placed is lowered intoa tank of water by mechanical or hydraulic means,for the purpose of locating leaks by the use of compressed air, and the platform then raised so that a torch may be applied to the leak'for sealing the same.

However, the test benches heretofore used have been cumbersome and unsightly. and have not placed the radiator in such a position that it is easy to work upon. Furthermore, the raising and lowering of the platform has not been accomplished electrica ly with proper controlsfor positioning and limitin the movement of the plat- "form.

the elevatorwhich permit positioning the elevator wherever desired, and which automatically limit the up'and down mov ment of the elevator.

It "is a further object of the in ention to provide improved devices for'retaining the heat exchange apparatus on the elevator or platform in "the desired positions for test and repair.

With these and other objects inview, o r invention'consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of our device whereby the objects contemplated areattained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in our claims and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings; wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of. an assembled radiator test bench with a radiatorthereonpartially broken away, illustrating one'embodiment of the invention Figure 2 is a front elevation of the. radiator test bench shown in Figure 1, the dotted-lines illustrating different positions of the radiator supporting platform;

Figure 3 is a side'elevation of one sideflofethe test bench;

Figure 4 is a side elevationof the other sideof the test bench;

Figure 5 is a top view of the drive and-stop mechanism for the bench shown'in Figure -1;

Figure 6 is a side view of another mechanism for raising and lowering the platform Figure 7 is a view taken on line 'l--! of Figure 6; V

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the invention adapted for boiling out clogged radiators;

Figure 9 isapartial side elevational viewof the apparatus shown in Figure 8, with the cover shown in the open position by thedot and dash lines; and

Figure 10 isa wiring diagramof the motor circult and control switches.

Description of Figures 1 1505 Referring specifically to the drawings, and particularly to Figures 1 to 5, for a detailed description of the first embodiment of the invention, numeral ll designates generally a tankof sufficient size preferably to contain an ordinary automobile radiator I2. The tank II is ordinarily partially filled with water, and .a drain plug 10 is provided in: the bottom. thereof for draining and cleaning the tank when desired. The tank H is supported on angle iron corner legs l3,=to which are welded horizontal angle members .I 4 on which the bottom of tank H rests. Cross supporting members [5 arealso provided to support the'bottom of the tank H and "to generallystrengthen and reinforce the-structure.

A platform It is provided atone end of the tank H and is supported by'brackets 11" attached to the angle iron legs 13 adjacentthe top thereof.

A platform'lS for supporting amctor 19,:geai' box 2|. pulleys 22 and 23 and .a cable drum '24 is supported on =horizontaliangle :iron members '--:2 5,

which are, in turn,.suspended from..one iofl.the cross membersl5 and one of anglemembers 14 by four vertical straps 26.

A pair of upright trackways 21 aresecured interiorly of the tank II at opposite'endsthereof the slide members 31 and platform 34.

and braces 28 formed integrally with the respective trackways 27 extend on the outside of the tank H and are secured to opposite angle members l4. The trackways 21 are also secured to a top flange 29 on the tank I by angle pieces 3 i.

Pulleys 32 are secured to the upper ends of trackways 2'! and one lower pulley 33 is vertically aligned with pulleys 32 and is secured to an angle member i4 opposite the motor supporting platform I3.

A movable platform generally indicated at 34 is disposed horizontally within tank H and is substantially coextensive with the outline of the tank. The platform 34 is formed by a rectangular metal frame 35, to which a number of spaced apart wooden slats 36 are secured. Vertical slide members 31 are secured to and extend upwardly from the frame 35 of the platform, and the slide members are received in the upright trackways 21 which guide and afford vertical movement of Triangularly disposed braces 38 are secured to the slide members 31 and to frame 35.

Two cables 39 and 4| are secured to and wind around the cable drum 24. One cable 39 extends from the cable drum 24 upwardly through a slot 42 in platform |6 to the corresponding upper pulley 32, then over the pulley and is fastened to the outer side of slide member 31. The other cable 4| extends from the drum 24 over a cable guide generally indicated at 43, which includes a pair of guide pulleys 44 and 45, thence over lower pulley 33, corresponding upper pulley 32, and is secured to the outer side of corresponding slide member 31.

Operation of Figures 1 to The motor I9 is provided withan automatic cut-on switch 46 and is also provided with a ed on motor platform I8, as shown at 49, and

includes an extension 5| which is movable up and down to contact a switch finger 52 in switch 46, which, in turn, opens and closes the contacts (not shown) in the switch. The extension 5| also is movable to engage with the brake pulley 41 to quickly stop the motor l9 at the proper time. The foot lever 48 is held in the raised position normally by spring 53 and the switch 46 is normally closed.

A standard reversing switch 54 having an oif" position and a lever 55 for operation is connected to the motor H] to control its rotation in either direction.

An automatic cut-off device is provided to limit movement of the platform 34, both up and down, and comprises a T-shaped member 56 pivoted at 51 to one of the angle supporting members 25, and the cable guide 43 is secured to the bottom of the T and adjacent pulley 45. The cable 4| is provided with adjustable stops 59 and 5| between the pulleys 44 and 45. Converging chains 62 are secured to the crossarm of the T-shaped member 56 and to one end of a coil spring 63. the coil spring and an intermediate portion of foot lever 48 in such an angular position that horizontal movement of the T-shaped member 56 tends to lower the foot lever 48 against the force of spring 53 to open the switch 46 and apply the motor brake.

A rod 64 connects the other end of.

Suitable lines 64a and 65 are provided for compressed air and acetylene or other gas used in testing and repairing radiators. A bracket 66 secured to one of the trackways 21 serves to support an air hose 61 and a torch 68 when not in use. A compressed air gauge and reducer 59 is also provided. The motor switch 54 is mounted on a similar bracket secured to the other trackway 21.

The slides 37 are provided with brackets 12 adjacent their upper ends, against which a radiator may be placed in an upright position. A removable bracket member 73, adapted to slide over one of the brackets 12 and preferably extend at right angles thereto, is also provided and serves to support the radiator in an up right position while work is done thereon.

Assuming that platform 34 is in approximately the position shown in Figure 1 with the platform 34 disposed above the level of the water. the radiator l2 to be tested and, if necessary, repaired, is placed on the platform 34 and all connections thereto are plugged by corks 14, except the overflow conduit (not shown). The compressed air hose 6'! is attached to the overflow connection and compressed air applied to the radiator. It is then necessary to lower the platform 34 below the water level, as shown in Figure 2, and the lowering is accomplished in the following manner.

The lever 55 of switch 54 is thrown from off" to the down position, thus energizing motor l9 and driving cable drum 24 in the proper direction for paying out cables 39 and 4|. As the cables pay out, the weight of the platform and radiator will cause the platform to descend, and slide members 31 in trackways 21 guide such downward movement. When the radiator is completely submerged, the operator may either again throw the main switch lever 55 to oil" or may depress foot pedal 48 by foot pressure. If the latter operation is preferred, the projection 5| strikes switch finger 52 to open switch 46 and de-energize motor l9 and projection 5| also engages with brake pulley 41 to quickly stop rotation of the motor l9 and cable drum 24. Very close adjustment of radiator and platform position may be effected by operating the foot lever control. Obviously, the platform may be positioned at any location desired within the limits of the guideways, either under the water for test, or above the level of the water for repair, depending on which part of the radiator is showing a leak.

The compressed air in the radiator will lead: from any holes therein and form air bubbles in the water in tank I I, which show the location of any leak. It is then necessary to raise the platform 34 and the radiator l2 out of the water and, if leaks are present, to repair them by using the torch 68.

In order to raise the platform 34, and assuming, of course, that switch 46 is closed, the operator throws the main switch lever 55 to the up position, thereby reversing the rotation of motor I!) and causing cable drum 24 to wind cables 39 and 4| thereon, thus raising platform 34 to the position, for example, shown in Figure 1. The gearing is preferably of the worm gear type and locks the platform in any position at which it is stopped. The radiator I2, which has been laid flat on the platform for testing, may now be disposed in a substantially vertical position for repair, resting against one of the brackets among-411 "l2 orfbracketill whichimay be- 'zremovably r atta'chedtoeithi'er hracket I 2'.-

' litthe platform. 34 is lowered to their position motor i 9' =is':'-automatically :1de energized because stop .59-moves tothe 'left'," as-viewed iniFi gure'e, 'andabuts against pulley'fl'. Pulley and cable gui'd "13, and. pulley! S are," "therefore; movedi to the acts; thus moving the'--"T=shaped member 6 aboutits pivot' fi'l and' pulling chain BZ -again'stspring" 6i). When'sufiicient pull-"is fexerte'd byf'the spring 63, the foot lever 48 ispiilled downwardly and r'extension "5| opensithe switch*to 'de- "energizeithe: 'motor' I 9 and brakes" against "brake I pulley" :The' downward movement offplatform" thusipermittingwplatiornr i4. to iowen duefitd its 'own'weight and: the weight: bf aii radiator =-.whic I may be placed- -thereon.

115 ObviOiIS thata' suitable limit control may I beutilized with this embodiment of-tilinvefitibn to"preventthe platform from raising; er -lowering tooe'greatl a 'distance:'

Descriptionand-operation 0]. Figures- 8 a1id 9 1 Like numerals have again been used where I 1 practical an'dthe onlyfidifierenceinlthe construction Tshownin. Figures L8 and? 9 over the: showing .iin Figures 11w 5-fisl that fthe cabinet hasbeen "is 'thusautomatically stoppedanddamage" to p the cables or? otherz"movingj partsisfprevented. In? order ftotfstai'ti'the'j'platform 'on' its 'i'upwa'rd travel"again;itiiisnecessaryrtdthrowfmainswit'ch 4B withthe' toe .to' close" switch-5'46 and r'eleasethe .hrake; p

f likewiseyif the platform L 3 4"" is traveling'upwardlyan'd"'i'approaches. theg'position shown" "in f'the'upper dotted lines.in*Figure"2; the motor-IQ is automatically de-energi'zedin' the same manner except; that stop 6 l moves to" the "right "as viewed in "Figure .5'and abuts "against" pulley 15, thus eventually f tensiohingspring' "63 sufliciently to' loweri'ootlever'AB and stop;motor l9. 'When';

"the. platform" is to be "started ddwnwardlm' fitis againnecessary" to manually raise root lever .48 f toclo'se switch 46; and releaseithebrake, and also swli'lch lever .55'is moved to the td'owri'. position.

'TiDcscription.. oji'Fi'gture's was? ""insist-inng "now to" Figures "6? and "r'ro'r a de- ,provid'e'd .with;.a.. cover. generally. indicated" at" N l "and'..an. electricall heater].02'=.isl.inserted 'Sinflthe Ltank. Thus the.tank..may. be .utilizedlio'riboiliiig "out. radiators with. a :causticsolutiori' io'ricleaning,

andlthe vl:f1nn'es .and Jsteam: are "prevented-3mm escaping by cover IOI.

The cover: .i 0 l is.:formed':- by providing .a' tired vertical back -plate 103- on. .top of. tank- I I and fixed triangular side. plates .1 04 ozr the'i topiof ethe tank. .I l. ..Alid-i05 ishiri ged-at thdtopbf back aplate 103,.whi'ch cooperates withifixed back plate '25...

.1 dotted lines in -Figure 9 show the cover in-raised position; anda chain or pulleyarrangementzmay i be= provided for holdingit up if desired.

r scrilitio'nof anotheriembodiment offt'he inventio "Figures I71; 0"5. Iniith'is:"ernbodiinent fifthe: Tin ventio'n, a jgdiiferentmonstruction is 'providedfor raisingand-lowe'ring' theplatfo'rm' 34. --Asshowjo iri'FigureBf theimotor. [9, which is reversible by a mainriswitchiisimilari to switch 54, rotates a shait 'i Bl. ZthrQughiLsIiitabIe gearing shown diagrammatically at"82. The shaft is provided with bearings 83-supportedon angle members 25 and is provided with'threadsfld at its outer end.

wear 851$threaded'on the "threads84 and provided with a flange 86,'in"-whichtwoholes 81 are provided. single cable'flfi may be utilizedin this constructionand is dead-ended on boths'lides 31, after passingover pulleys 32,'in'

the sameimanner as the cables 38 and-sin the firstembodimeht 'ofthe invention. The cable =88-from"the 1eft hand side, as viewed iii-Figure 6, passes over apulley 89 adjacent the-bottom. of the tankLll, is then looped'through holes. BT in nut 85, passes'over a pulley fwheel QI' adjacent-Zr pulley B9, is led along the bottom of tank ll to a lo'werpulley 92 and then is dead-ended on right-handslide 31, as heretofore explained.

The flange 86 is also provided with 2. 51017193 which engages a stationary guide 94 bolted to an.

angle support 25, thus preventing the nut 85 from rotating.

Operation of Figures 6 and 7 When motor I9 is energized for rotation in one direction, nut 85 is screwed further onto the shaft BI and cable 88 is, therefore, pulled in and platform 34 is raised. When the motor I9 is energized for rotation in the opposite direction, the nut 85' tends to unscrew and pay out cable,

I By--virtue of these -.arrangemen'ts, .the .:;repair man at no-time-needs toyhave his handsaorarms immersed-in :water, andthe work-of handling radiators for immersionwandi-removalthertrom :tank,'=.su'ch as,-1-f0rexamples-at a positiomso lthat tha -radiator cores-tare verly' close to" theupper surface-bizthe liquid-level:

LSomezchanges may-be madeimtheconstruction and arrangement. of-the parts-' ofi our iitestcarid parting "-fromthe"realspirit and purpose or our repair bench'ior heat exchangers 'without i-deinvention,: and .it is curl-intention I to (cover by our :claims..-anyemodified iormsof. structure-- or use -of mechanicalvequivalents whichimay be reasonably. includedwithinlthein scope w'i'thout sacrificing any. ofsthef advantages thereof. 1'

Weclaim as ouroinvent ion:

1 A platform raising and lowering de'vicelfior use with a radiatontest andarepair bench-com- .prising an open topped tanlv adapted toiicontain liquid i therein, sa-id device comprising :guiding membersafor said platform, a. pair of members cooperatingwith: said' fixed guiding members secured .tomsaid platform so that the.,platform 60- loweringisaid.platform,.isaid lastmeans including a reversible: electric. motor; self-locking... gearing,

' controlmeansfor reversing 'the'rotation of and for de-energizing said motor, said control means comprising two electrical switches, means included in one of said switches for reversing said motor and for independently de-energizing the same, and means included in the second switch for independently de en'ergizing the motor and being normally in position to energizesaid motor,

said second switch beingkefiective to energize the motor only when thefjflrst switch is in a po sition to energize the motor.

2. A platform raising and lowering device for use with a radiator test and repair bench comprising an open topped tank adapted to contain liquid. therein, said device comprising guiding members for said platform, a pair of members 1 cooperating with said fixed guiding members -secured to said platform so that the platform xmQves in-a fixed path, means for raising and lowering said platform, said last means including a reversible electric motor, self-locking gearing, control means for reversing the rotation of and each of said switches.

3. A platform raising and lowering device for use with a radiator test and repair bench com- "prising an open topped tank adapted to contain "liquid therein, said device comprising guiding *f'members for said platform, a pair of members cooperating with said fixed guiding members secured to said platform so that the platform moves in a fixed path, means for raising and lowering said platform, said last means including areversible electric motor, self-locking gearing,

control means for reversing the rotation of and for dc-energizing said motor, said control means comprising two electrical switches, means in cluded in one of said switches for reversing said "motor and for independently de-energi'zing the same, means included in the second switch for independentlyde energizing the motor and'being -'n'orm'ally'- in position to energize said motor, said second 'switch being effective to energizethe motor only when the first switch is-in a position "-toenergize the motor, and'manually operated means-for each of said switches, said'manually operated means for said second switch being also effective to brake said motor when said means is moved to the position to de-energize said I motor.

4. A platform raising and lowering device for uswith a radiator test and repair bench comprising an open topped tank adapted to contain liquid therein said device comprising guiding I members for said platform, a pair of members cooperating with said fixed guiding members secured to said platform so that the platform moves in a fixed path, means for raising and lowering said platform, said last means including a reversible electric motor, self-locking gearing. control means for reversing the rotation of and for de-energizing said motor, said control means 'comprising' two electrical switches, means includedin one of said switches for reversing said motor and for independentlyde-energizing the (same, means included in the second switch for 1 independently de-energizing the motor and being normally in position to energize said motor, said second switch being effective to energize the motor only when. the first switch is in a position to energize the motor, manually operated means for each of said switches, said manually operated means for said second switch being also effective to brake said motor when said means is moved to a position to energize said motor, and automatic limit means for operating said second switch to de-energize said motor upon predetermined upward or downward movement of said platform.

5. A platform raising and lowering device for use with a radiator test and repair bench comprising an open topped tank adapted to contain liquid therein, said device comprising guiding members for said platform, a pair of members cooperating with said fixed guiding members secured to-said platform so that the platform moves in a fixed path, means for raising and lowering said platform, said lastmeans including a reversible electric motor, self-locking gearing, control means for reversing the rotation of and for de-energizing said motor, said control means comprising two electrical switches, means included in one of said switches for reversing said motor and for independently de-energizing the same, means included in the second switch for independently de-energizing the motor and being normally in position to energize said motor, said second switch being effective to energize the motor only when the first switch is in a position to energize the motor, manually operated means for each of said switches, said manually operated means'for said second switch being also eflective to brake said motor when said means is moved to a position to energize, said .motor,

.. and automatic limit means for operating said second switch to ole-energize said motor upon predetermined upward or. downward movement of said platform, said automatic limit means also being effectiv'e'to operate said manually operated means for-said second switch.

' DANIEL LANGFELD.

ROBERT LECKEYZ, RAYMOND A. OLSON. EARL GRANT WEBB.

EFERENCES CITED The following references are of recordin the file of this patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS 

